My Yard Art

I am loving making discarded china bird feeders. Superman is right on board with me. It's fun to have him ask if I have time to go shopping at a second hand store. Here are the ones that I have in my yard. We also just installed a crystal dish watering 'hole'. They haven't discovered it yet, but they sure love all the rest of them. Question: How much would you be willing to purchase one for? I am just wondering in case I ever decide to sell them.

Gravy boat

I was wishing for a violet cup. Found it in Grand Junction!

My pink rose china find from Germany

Love this one. It's GJ also.

This is one of the birds favorite ones. I like the bright color and different shape.

DI special. It is so pink and feminine.

Noritake from DI.

My Mother's Day bird bath. An old light fixture. The birds love it. Especially the Red Winged Blackbirds.

One of our guests. (Although not a favorite). This is the sneaky Brown headed Cowbird. Rascals.

The Fledging

In past posts you have heard about out beautiful Bullocks Orioles. We saw their nest last Saturday. We have enjoyed the peeping of the babies. This past week, I was going to relax and cool down from my bike ride. I felt an impression to grab the camera. This is truly a tender mercy story.
    As we sat for a few moments together, Steve watched the apple tree. He was going to spray it for worms when I asked him if it would hurt our baby birds. We decided that wormy apples are a small price to pay for the enjoyment these birds have given us. As Steve watched the tree, he discovered that the babies were out of the nest and flitting from branch to ranch in the tree. We then watched the process of fledging a young bird. The parents would fly around the tree. We saw the father in a Russian Olive about 30 yards from our tree. The babies were chattering and chattering in the tree. We saw mom and dad gently push them off the branch and watch them soar. They flew to our Aspen tree one at a time. There was a little one that was just too scared to try. All the siblings were chattering their encouragement. The father finally flew into the tree and nudged the reluctant youngster off the branch. They spent the rest of the afternoon, talking to each other about their accomplishments. The next morning, I woke to a very silent tree. It kind of gives me a little heart tug. They are still in the neighborhood, learning to hunt. (Hey birds, eat those grasshoppers!) Reading about the birds, I know they are going to be heading south very soon. I have loved getting to know them, and hosting these brilliant birds in our tree. They are insect eaters, so they didn't even use our feeders. ( A post showing my feeders is coming soon. sorry if you are sick of my bird stories.) We are hoping it was a good tree and someone will be visiting us next year.

Flying

I have no words. Just enjoy the photos. I know the focus isn't great and I had the wrong lens but it was fun!

Ice cream and Cupcake Night

Very Important! This Sunday, June 23, 2013, it's cupcake and homemade ice cream night. It is drop in. If you read this, know me and love me...you are invited. Come early before the mosquitos wake up. Steve is making the ice cream. I am making Devil's Food cupcakes with White Chocolate Icing. Homemade fudge sauce will also be available. A comment to RSVP so that I have enough cakes is appreciated, (but I will let you come without it!)
Love you!

Family Reunion Part Two

Loved seeing the family...just hate the stress of ...Did I get enough meat? Do I have enough to drink? Enough trash cans about? Will the kids be entertained? Will they be safe? Will they destroy my stuff?
Did anyone feel slighted by me accidently? oy yoy yoy. Here are some of the wonderful people that stood still long enough (while I was sane) to get a picture.

Family Reunion Part One- No divorce yet!

We survived the reunion. It was hectic, hot, hilarious and heavenly. I had threatened to divorce the Johnsons this week and the Hulses next week, but I think I will keep them. Steve and Mark spent hours preparing the rib and brisket feast. It was fantastic. I am suggesting that Steve start a Gentleman's Smoking Club in the neighborhood. Thanks to Ron and Rick for getting him started.

The aftermath...sorry I should have taken a photo of the delicious ribs. 

Marinda's face artistry was the best.

The master at work.

Love the butterflies...

Should have snapped some of the super heroes...but honestly, I hate being the 'hostess'.

The pits....should have bought more stuff to dig for....the kids loved the sawdust.

Barnyard croquet. A great game, but I was worried because little boys think  it is golf. I was worried about windows, cars, passing pedestrians etc. so it was short lived. Tomorrow? the guests.

Daddy Bird

Wow! We love watching the birds. We are hosting a family of Bullocks Orioles. The nest is in our apple tree. We love hearing everyone chirp for their supper when a parent flies into the nest.

Daddy bird

In flight (Way to go Steve!)

Home Tweet Home

Our best photo of Mom

Happy Happy Day

Happy end of the school year to me! And of course to everyone. I am sitting in a clean office with a clean library and all sorts of plans for next year already racing through my head. The last few years, I have felt a little meloncholy about leaving for the summer because I like my job and co workers so much. But I am feeling very excited to be home for a while. I look forward to morning bike rides, weeding gardens, sweeping patios, chasing magpies out of chicken coops, looking out for trotting deer, water my planters, barbecues, late evenings and of course- parties with the grandkids. Get ready guys, Grammy has lots of squirters and fun ideas for summer, just give her a couple of days to wipe the haze from her mind.

I hope the whirlwind of my running from the school doesn't cause someone an injury....I am outta here!

Wow!

In our Stake Conference, a member of the stake presidency told of how a few weeks ago, he forgot his anniversary. A relative sent a text message wishing him a happy anniversary and in a panic, he went to Lowe's and bought his wife a riding lawn mower. The congregation snickered. The Stake President got up and said it was so good to see the confused looks on the men's faces at that story. I giggled and smiled at Steve. I think our riding lawn mower anniversary was about 10 years ago! The day before was our 34th anniversary. Can you imagine? Thirty four years of happily ever aftering! We bought our gifts together. A new camera!!! and a new Weed Whacker!!!
We are excited about both. We did ditch the Saturday night meeting. I felt guilty, but loved that Steve commented, " It's my anniversary. I am not going to a meeting." We enjoyed a quiet lovely meal at a Chinese restaurant. and just had a fantastic day. I love you Superman. Thanks for a great anniversary. The following are some of the pictures from the new camera.

(Lesley, does this show the 'pet' better?)

Our little friend - a Bullocks Oriole

Caught one in flight